How do I break in a new reed? – Reed Tip #7

A new bassoon or oboe reed isn’t ready for performance — and you should be wary of a new reed that plays perfectly out of the box. Prepare for closing and sharpness as it ages. New high-quality reeds are a bit too hard, so how do you break in new reed?

For the best results, start out with an excellent handmade reed. Check out Tiger Reeds — they’re not ‘cheap’; they’re excellent value.
Avoid machine-made, mass produced 2×4, buzzy monstrosities — check out the reed options and try one! Visit the Reeds page to purchase.

A good reedmaker’s reeds should arrive to you a bit ‘raw’ — too open when soaked for a couple minutes, a little too hard to blow, too raspy/buzzy when played, and perhaps a touch flat.

The first few days you have a reed, do the following:

Soak the reed and dry it. 3-5 times should do the trick.

Allow the reed to acclimate to your environment and its new shape.

Test the ‘peep crow’, the softest sound the reed makes (lips on string/wires).